New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-27

stone
q fine embroidered curtain 7 The iinsy gliding was
already half worn Oft that casket, yet there had
been moment when 1t had seemed worthy 70 ho,d
orange petals she loved to scattr among her
olotlies Surely ne was crazy when he thought
that clumsy plate OF wretched maIolca wouid 10
Let them moulder on the dusty shelves Of the old
curiosity snops they would never be wanted now.
But Antonio was constant creature and he was
Also an old family friend. Moreover his home VAS
on the banks Of the Leva. and he could not go
away az gayor sultors did So he stayed on IN his
OuInb pam ana tended the garden in which Fran
cesca used TO delight and served her Lun-bly In the
slavish way that had become habit;
But Francesca never came out or her room, ana
Antonio grew sick with longing TO see now tnat
dear bright face looked under its cloud OF grief
He spent many evenings patiently with the froies
sors hopin Z tor some word of his little lady. Bnt
the Pr0fessore, had he been an Englishinan could
not have taken less count of love with its quiverns
hopes and fears. tie was seeking distraction rom
domestic cares in n species OF SphoHcphOrd that
he had fshed ont of the bay, and was an absent or
at best prosy companion
A great CRY of grief came up to Francesca's room
from below. and then sound OF Annunzlat@ sob
bling and wailing
francesca suraug up and moved to the door but
as her hand was the handle she paused. Fran
cescas heart had grown bitter and hard under her
pam She was angry with the word, with Bahhc,
of all angry with herself And just because she was
anGr:. with herself she began 10 wrap ehl,i man,
tie of self-justfcation about her. She and
"Nunziata had been rather enstrangel OF late. and
the asst few days Francesca said to herself that
Oh. yes that was It. She was as su len as It was
possible to be. She had hardly spoken word
Francesca liked to be spoilt and mplored although
she turned away and cried, Leave me in peace"
Now. Annunziata had some troG ole An, she too
would know the dreadful torment of suffering when
all around was smiling with goe. smiling and
beckoning, Come he happy. DO happy y
Annunzata would now understand little OF he,
pain Sst ES WHICH the ss
being of the young. So Francesca turned back
with her worst feelings uppermost. and plunged
Let Annunziata come to her If she wished for syn
patty, an, she made the grain slip through her
finders ia golden streams, Why did Annnnziata sob
F. FraD ns ' Heart Presently she heard An
nuqza'% coming up the sta rSoS sSsh"g all the
Anuunz alta opened the door AND came in with
coffee and brioche on a tray lier face was con
yulsed and her lips twitchsd, Snc did h not try to
table near Francesca without word and turned
and left TIE room AS she shut the door. Francesca
sto cd ahashed for a moment. then she sprang after
her and called in the passage in vibrating
voice. -
"Signorina,' replied the nnrse.
Annunziata, come back" cried Francesca, in an
in operative tone. Annunziata followed Francesca
s'Nnnzata. what is the matter Why don't you
aAh. Sgnorna, why should tell. You nv
ness. " You care more for u.s. nor for our JOYS
and woes You drive us away from with cold
dear little angel of old. ready with smile and kiss
for her old nurse bnt proud, harsh S,gn"rIna'
"'Nunliata, It'll you who have been unkind; you
have not spoken to mo"
sSicnorina how could speak, III open INV
lips tho 81 norma cries. Leave me in peace.'
Beside my heart has been weighed down. Those
are dark DAYS for the country"
sWnat do Won mean, 'Nnnziata" asked Frances-
f. d. ,Dfr Imam rfa ttfth
Anne While tho Sirnorna has bren shut MP
alone taking no part in our troubles MANY hearts
have been broken. There have been soldiers here.
soldiers there, GaribadIna everywhere, and the
news of battles and every town has widows and
Francesca wa. stunned. All Uni. time she had
forgot ten the struggles OF her country.
"There vas a horrible battle n few DAYS ago. and
morning at davbreak to join the Garlbaldins"
Annunziatas lips trembled. Francesca's heart gave
great bonnd I'D then stood SUI. ng it lips
Xnnnnz alta began again. "Tho sienorns has
told us all that she wishes to de- and lie down
below in the little churchyard. j care for moth
ing, nothing let me die cried the Sieror ma Bnt
for nothing now; nothing for himself Tho sgnor
! Antonio has gone 10 die for his country"
| 9'NunzIataw There was harsh jarring Of pain
in Francescas cry But Annunziata went on with
touch of that cruelty that sometimes leaps mp IN
| the gentlest creatures. -,
|
words He has gone to die and all because the
Siroorina's soft Italian heart Ia. gone away ana
another heart come hard d, as s.ae hard r0"
WOMAN cred Francesca: pa..onstely. q Yon
would never have refused the call Of his country"
| Tier great ewes were flashing. shining 40 brilliantly
that her face seemed ransfgured In the tremulons
| glow. Annunzata thought she was more heantl-
ful than all the saints IN heaven. They wrre b0th
| 90 wretched and their hearts heat in harmony OF
A. anI fAh. md
aAh. The sicnorna is happy TO console herself
| 80 easily" moaped Annunziata, as she went away
down the large flight OF stairs
This sharp touch Of lifes reality worked a
| change IN Francesca She was pursued by a haunt
h stsS eTosv to herself that he was merely
| brother. Tho best and kindest OF brothers moro
| faithful slave would never he found. but stu a
| brother only She crept downstairs. The Profess
| sore was In his studio his head bent over large
3abbo don't bring any of the students here.
and then / will have my dinner with you." she
The Professore looked up with n preoccuped
smile: but be stroked the small black head and
Knit somshow. dinner alone with Babbo. while
Annunziata lowered Teprcachfny near, oppressed
to each other, but now she seemed to have lost
tonch, of him altogether Some chord that ha :,
bound her to him had snapped. IN tiuv world
thew stood wide distances apart. Was 1t that An
tonic with his qu,ok sympathy and gentle tact had
reyea eli these two Opposite beings to one another
and mi ed them In the light of his large under
stapdingf
Truly there was a great void without Antonio.
She never remembered time when he had not
filled her life with a of tenderness and pro-
tecting love. Yet, till lie was gone abe hard '
knew he was there. Strange and incADcable
cnigma II All came upon her now in the light of a
revelation. II Antonio never came homo again,
how little and empty her life would he. slarp
pang OF remorse smote her, which duled into o
rnawing pain as the days dragged by In the shadow
Of SUSPENSE.
She liked now to SIT under the shade OF the gray
green oil trees the sunny yiDerelllsed terrace
| She could hear the wind rnstliDg In the bamboo
In the dry ditch 1t there she used to sit Will
Antonio on the worn stone bench and watch i0l
, | Dah i'm homa frOm his sceutinc laboratory